Helene P.Dreyer Koch is an estate planning attorney in Indian Wells, California, focusing on Wills, Trusts and Probate. She is also a skilled legal writer and dynamic public speaker. (760) 360-2400.
Category Archives: Powers of Attorney – PARENT
What Is a POLST and Do I Need One Instead of a Medical Power of Attorney?
POLST stands for “Physician Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment.” It differs from an Advance Healthcare Directive (aka medical power of attorney or power of attorney for healthcare) in several ways and is NOT intended to replace the power of attorney. A … Continue reading
California Passes Right to Die Law
New Law Permits Terminally Ill Patients to End Their Lives. Known as the End of Life Option Act, California’s newest law decriminalizes self-end to one’s life and allows terminally ill people to end their lives humanely. The law becomes effective … Continue reading
Top 10 Mistakes People Make in Estate Planning, Wills and Trusts: # 7 – Failure to Plan for Incapacity
Planning for Incapacity is easily overlooked for two reasons: (1) most people associate estate planning with death; and (2) thinking about one’s own mortality is discomforting enough — thinking about the possibility of Alzheimer disease, dementia, coma or other mentally … Continue reading
20 Advantages to Having a Trust (Part A: Planning for Incapacity)
Why should I make a trust? This is a common question. In this series of posts, here’s twenty great reasons to have a trust! Part A: Planning for Incapacity. Dementia, Alzheimers, Coma, etc. 1. A trust avoids the probate court. … Continue reading
Why do I need a Power of Attorney if I have a Trust?
Even if you have a Trust, you still need a Power of Attorney because it applies, during your lifetime, to management and control of your property that is not in a Trust. Certain property does not get put into your … Continue reading
What is a Durable Power of Attorney or Power of Attorney for Finances?
A Power of Attorney for Financial Matters appoints someone to manage your assets and pay your bills. It can take effect immediately, or it can be limited so that it only takes effect if you become incapacitated. A “durable” power … Continue reading
What is an Advance Healthcare Directive, a Power of Attorney for Healthcare, and a Living Will, and what’s the difference between them?
These documents generally refer to medical decision-making, especially end-of-life decisions. The document name sometimes varies by state, which is why there are so many terms. In California, it’s usually called an “Advance Healthcare Directive”, which generally means the same thing … Continue reading
Posted in Healthcare Power of Attorney
Tagged estate planning, funeral mortuary burial, will
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Top 4 “MUST HAVE” Estate Planning Documents
Estate Planning Everyone Should Have Estate Planning is about Life. It’s about security for those you love. It’s protection for yourself, if you become incapacitated. It’s a tool for creating a legacy or preserving a heritage. It’s a means … Continue reading
